Wearing Invisalign takes dedication and patience. On average, it’s a one-year commitment for most patients, though some have shorter treatment times. What it helps to know, however, no matter where you are in the process, is that there are tricks of the trade that help make your Invisalign journey easier and more convenient.
Here are just some of the Invisalign hacks you didn’t even know you needed.
1. Switch to new trays at bedtime.
Aligners are switched out about every two weeks – your individual treatment plan will highlight when this move is to happen – and the best time to make the shift is at bedtime. Why? Two main reasons – to avoid discomfort and improve effectiveness.
Ideally, you sleep for about eight hours, which means your aligners are in your mouth for that uninterrupted length of time without being removed. This gets your teeth adjusted to the new position they’re being moved into and minimizes the new tooth pressure you must tolerate during waking hours.
2. Make friends with your case.
Your Invisalign case may seem like just one more thing you have to put in your purse or pocket, but it’s one of the most important items to have with you at all times. You don’t want to stuff your trays in your pocket for your meal – think of all the lint it will gather in there. You don’t want to wrap them up in a napkin – the chances of your trays being discarded accidentally skyrocket. A case keeps your precious aligners safe and by your side so your treatment never goes off-track.
3. Set a timer.
Invisalign gives you a good excuse to make use of the timer on your phone or activity tracker. You want to wear your aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, which means you have about four hours to work with for meals, snacks, and cleaning your teeth.
It’s easy for wearers of adult Invisalign to linger over drinks with colleagues or Invisalign Teen wearers to hang out at the lunch table with friends and forget that their aligners have been out for quite a while, so set a 30-minute timer as a reminder that it’s time to get up from the table, brush your teeth, rinse your aligners, and pop them back in so they can get back to work. You can rejoin your meal companions afterward and Invisalign still won’t be in the way.
4. Soak your trays while you eat.
If you are having your meals at home and it’s time to soak your trays for a deeper cleaning, might as well make the most of your downtime. Instead of putting your trays in their case for safekeeping, put them in your orthodontist-recommended cleaning solution to get them super sparkling and help them to feel fresh in your mouth all day long.
5. Get an outie tool.
Some Invisalign patients have difficulty getting their aligners off their teeth and out of their mouth and damage nails and manicures in the process. Trays are particularly snug during the first few days of wear of a new set. Ask your dentist if she recommends the outie tool and whether it can help you remove the trays with greater ease.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
Invisalign is an adventure, a learning experience, and completely worth it to end up with a perfectly aligned smile at the end. Find out if you’re a good candidate for this revolutionary orthodontic alternative. Contact us or schedule an appointment with Dr. Soleil Roberts at Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA.